Methods for optimizing imaging technique parameters for photon-counting computed tomography

ABSTRACT

Described here are systems and methods for optimization techniques for automatically selecting x-ray beam spectra, energy threshold, energy bin settings, and other imaging technique parameters for photon-counting detector computed tomography (“PCCT”). The techniques described here are generally based on subject or object size, material of interest, and location of the target material. Advantageously, the optimizations can be integrated with different PCCT systems to automatically select optimal imaging technique parameters before scanning a particular subject or object.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/912,656, filed on Jun. 25, 2020, which is a divisional of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/552,637 filed on Aug. 22, 2017, which representsthe national stage entry of PCT International Application No.PCT/US2016/019097 filed on Feb. 23, 2016 and claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/119,628, filed on Feb. 23,2015, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference as ifset forth in their entirety herein.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

This invention was made with government support under EB016966 awardedby the National Institutes of Health. The government has certain rightsin the invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention is systems and methods for x-ray imaging,including x-ray computed tomography (“CT”). More particularly, theinvention relates to systems and methods for photon-counting detectorcomputed tomography (“PCCT”).

PCCT systems have the potential to greatly increase the medical benefitsof CT. Unlike “traditional” CT detectors, which integrate the chargegenerated by x-ray photon interactions in the detector but provide nospecific energy information regarding individual photons,photon-counting detectors record the energy deposited by each individualphoton interacting with the detector. PCCT systems can thus be used todifferentiate materials, such as a contrast agent in the blood andcalcifications that may otherwise be indistinguishable in traditional CTsystems.

PCCT systems can also be used to improve the signal-to-noise ratio(“SNR”) by reducing electronic noise. In general, PCCT systems produceless image noise for the same patient dose than traditional CT systemsand, hence, can be more dose efficient than these conventional CTsystems. Also, PCCT systems can improve SNR by assigning optimal, energydependent weighting factors to the detected photons and can achieveadditional SNR improvements by completely or partially rejectingscattered photons. Further still, use of a PCCT system allowsmeasurement of transmitted, energy-resolved spectra from a singleexposure at one tube potential.

PCCT systems can perform multi-energy measurements for N≥2 energylevels. In some configurations, measurements are obtained on the samepixel with N identical energy thresholds on the same detector element.Images with higher energy resolution can then be generated based on asubtraction between measurements from the same pixel. In some otherconfigurations, cross-pixel measurements are obtained with differentenergy thresholds on the same detector element. Images with higherenergy resolution are then generated based on a subtraction betweenmeasurements from different pixels.

Selection of the x-ray tube spectra, energy thresholds, and energy binsthat are used in PCCT has a significant effect on the resulting imagequality, material decomposition capability, and radiation dose impartedto patients. Because the degree of freedom for optimizing the selectionof the x-ray tube spectra, energy thresholds, and energy bins is veryhigh, it would be desirable to have a systematic optimization scheme forselecting these parameters before initiating a patient scan.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks byproviding a method for determining imaging technique parameters for aphoton-counting computed tomography (“PCCT”) system using a signalestimation and noise propagation analysis. The method includes selectingimaging technique parameters for the PCCT system and generating a firstsignal estimate and a first noise estimate associated with the imagingtechnique parameters. Optimal imaging technique parameters are thencomputed using an optimization based on a signal estimation and noisepropagation analysis. Each iteration of the optimization includes thefollowing steps. The imaging technique parameters are updated and asecond signal estimate and a second noise estimate associated with theupdated imaging technique parameters are generated. A first figure ofmerit value is then generated using the first signal estimate and thefirst noise estimate, and a second figure of merit value is generatedusing the second signal estimate and the second noise estimate. Astopping criterion based on comparing the first figure of merit valueand the second figure of merit value is then evaluated. When thestopping criterion is not satisfied, the second signal estimate isstored as the first signal estimate and the second noise estimate isstored as the first noise estimate before again updating the imagingtechnique parameters. When the stopping criterion is satisfied, theupdated imaging technique parameters are stored as optimal imagingtechnique parameters for later use with the PCCT system.

It is another aspect of the invention to provide a method fordetermining imaging technique parameters for a PCCT system using anoverall Cramer-Rao Lower Bound (“CRLB”) value. The method includesselecting imaging technique parameters for the PCCT system and computingoptimal imaging technique parameters using an optimization. Eachiteration of the optimization includes the following steps. A CRLB valueis computed for each of a plurality of different combinations ofdetector channels and projection angles associated with the PCCT systemand based on the imaging technique parameters. An overall CRLB value isthen computed as a weighted summation of the CRLB values. A stoppingcriterion based on the overall CRLB value is then evaluated. When thestopping criterion is not satisfied, the imaging technique parametersare updated and additional CRLB values are computed based on the updatedimaging technique parameters. When the stopping criterion is satisfied,the imaging technique parameters are stored as optimal imaging techniqueparameters for later use with a PCCT system.

It is yet another aspect of the invention to provide a method fordetermining imaging technique parameters for a PCCT system using a modelobserver. The method includes selecting imaging technique parameters forthe PCCT system and computing optimal imaging technique parameters usingan optimization. Each iteration of the optimization includes thefollowing steps. A virtual scan is performed to generate imagesindicative of a signal estimate and a noise estimate associated with theimaging technique parameters. A figure of merit value is computed byapplying a model observer to the generated images. A stopping criterionbased on the figure of merit value is then evaluated. When the stoppingcriterion is not satisfied, the imaging technique parameters are updatedand another virtual scan is performed using the updated imagingtechnique parameters. When the stopping criterion is satisfied, theimaging technique parameters are stored as optimal imaging techniqueparameters for later use with the PCCT system.

The foregoing and other aspects and advantages of the invention willappear from the following description. In the description, reference ismade to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in whichthere is shown by way of illustration a preferred embodiment of theinvention. Such embodiment does not necessarily represent the full scopeof the invention, however, and reference is made therefore to the claimsand herein for interpreting the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flowchart setting forth the steps of an example method foroptimizing photon-counting detector computed tomography (“PCCT”) imagingtechnique parameters based on a noise propagation analysis;

FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate examples of noise propagation analysis-basedoptimizations for two energy thresholds for imaging different contrastagents using PCCT;

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate examples of noise propagation analysis-basedoptimizations for two energy thresholds for different materialdecomposition tasks;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart setting forth the steps of an example method foroptimizing PCCT imaging technique parameters based on an overallCramer-Rao Lower Bound calculation;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart setting forth the steps of an example method foroptimizing PCCT imaging technique parameters based on one or more modelobservers; and

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate an example CT system that can be configuredto operate as a PCCT system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Described here are systems and methods for optimization techniques forautomatically selecting imaging technique parameters for photon-countingdetector computed tomography (“PCCT”). Imaging technique parameters caninclude x-ray beam spectra settings, energy threshold settings, andenergy bin settings. The techniques described here are generally basedon patient size, material of interest, and location of the targetedmaterial. Advantageously, the optimizations can be integrated withdifferent PCCT systems to automatically select optimal imaging techniqueparameters—including x-ray tube spectra, energy thresholds, and energybins—before scanning a particular patient.

In some embodiments, the optimization of the imaging techniqueparameters implements a signal estimation and noise propagationanalysis. In some other embodiments, the optimization of the imagingtechnique parameters implements an overall Cramer-Rao Lower Bound(“oCRLB”) calculation. In still other embodiments, the optimization ofthe imaging technique parameters implements a model observer method. Thechoice between how to implement the optimization technique can be basedon the clinical task at hand. For instance, the choice can be based inpart on whether it is desired to maximize contrast-to-noise ratio(“CNR”); to estimate basis material densities, such as by using materialdecomposition; or to image contrast materials, such as by using K-edgesubtraction imaging.

Signal Estimation and Noise Propagation Analysis

As mentioned above, in some embodiments, optimization of the imagingtechnique parameters for a PCCT system can be based on a noisepropagation analysis that implements a general noise model for PCCTimages. As will be described below, the noise model can be selectedbased on the acquisition scheme to be implemented.

Referring now to FIG. 1 , a flowchart is illustrated as setting forththe steps of an example method for optimizing x-ray spectra settings,energy threshold settings, energy bin settings, or combinations thereof,using an optimization that is based at least in part on a signalestimation and noise propagation analysis. In general, the methodincludes using a signal estimation and noise propagation analysis toevaluate a number of different candidate configurations of imagingtechnique parameters. The signal estimation and noise propagationanalysis is generally based on a noise model, such as one of thefollowing example noise models. Thus, as indicated at step 102, themethod includes selected a noise model to be implemented in the noisepropagation analysis.

As one example, the noise model can be based on an acquisition scheme inwhich measurements are obtained on the same pixel and spectrum with Nidentical energy thresholds on the same detector element. In thisscheme, the noise model is,

$\begin{matrix}{{{\sigma^{2} \propto \frac{1}{N({bin})}} = \frac{1}{N_{L} - N_{H}}};} & (1)\end{matrix}$

where σ² is the noise in PCCT images, N_(L) is the photon count abovethe low-energy threshold, and N_(H) is the photon count above thehigh-energy threshold.

As another example, the noise model can be based on an acquisitionscheme in which cross-pixel or cross-spectrum measurements are obtainedwith M<N different energy thresholds on the same detector element. Forthis scheme, the noise model can be described as,

$\begin{matrix}{\sigma^{2} \propto {\frac{\left( {N_{L} + N_{H}} \right)}{\left( {N_{L} - N_{H}} \right)^{2}}.}} & (2)\end{matrix}$

In both of these example noise models, the desired signals (e.g., CTnumber, dual energy ratio) are estimated by known energy spectrum anddetector response. Based on the selected noise model, the methodproceeds to optimize the imaging technique parameters to maximize SNR,CNR, or both, or to minimize noise for different clinical tasks. Anexample of imaging technique parameters can include x-ray spectraparameters, energy threshold parameters, energy bin parameters, orcombinations thereof.

The method thus includes selecting initial imaging technique parameters,as indicated at step 104. As mentioned above, the imaging techniqueparameters can include x-ray spectra parameters, energy thresholdparameters, energy bin parameters, or combinations thereof. The imagingtechnique parameters can also include information based on the detectorresponse of the photon-counting detectors used in a PCCT system andinformation about the object being imaged, including the size of theobject and materials contained in the object.

In some embodiments, the imaging technique parameters also include theselection of the image reconstruction method to be used, post-processingmethods to be used, or both. As one example, optimizing the imagingtechnique parameters can include selecting an iterative reconstructiontechnique, which may result in a more significant noise reduction than afilter backprojection reconstruction. By selecting such an iterativereconstruction technique, the other parameters (e.g., x-ray spectrasettings, energy threshold settings, energy bin settings) can be moreaggressively optimized because the iterative reconstruction willgenerally result in lower image noise.

As another example, optimizing the imaging technique parameters can alsoinclude selecting one or more post-processing methods, or the selectionof such post-processing methods can influence the optimization of otherparameters (e.g., x-ray spectra settings, energy threshold settings,energy bin settings). For instance, if the acquired data are to beprocessed to generate a monochromatic image, optimizing the imagingtechnique parameters can include optimizing the energy bin selection toselect energy bins that are farther apart, thereby facilitating thegeneration of a monochromatic image.

Using the initial imaging technique parameters, signal and noiseestimates are generated based on the initial imaging techniqueparameters, as indicated at step 106. As one example, the signal andnoise estimates can be generated using a virtual PCCT scan. As anotherexample, the signal and noise estimates can be generated using numericalsimulations. A figure of merit value is then computed based on thesignal and noise estimates. As an example, the figure of merit caninclude a signal-to-noise ratio (“SNR”) or a contrast-to-noise ratio(“CNR”). The figure of merit value is then compared against a stoppingcriterion to determine whether the optimal imaging technique parametershave been achieved for the particular imaging task at hand, asdetermined at decision block 110. For instance, evaluating the stoppingcriterion can include comparing the figure of merit value in the currentiteration with the figure of merit value computed from the previousiteration. If the optimal imaging technique parameters have beenutilized for the particular imaging task at hand, as determined atdecision block 110, then the imaging technique parameters are stored foruse with the PCCT system, as indicated at step 112. Otherwise, theimaging technique parameters are updated at step 114 and new signal andnoise estimates are generated using the updated imaging techniqueparameters.

As mentioned above, the final stored imaging technique parameters can beprovided to a PCCT system to direct imaging of the object according tothe stored imaging technique parameters.

As one example implementation of the foregoing method, the imagingtechnique parameters can be optimized to maximize the CNR achievablewhen using a particular contrast agent, such as iodine, gadolinium, orgold. In these examples, the CNR for a particular contrast agent can bemaximized by optimizing the energy thresholds. Example optimizations areillustrated in FIGS. 2A-2C, which can be used to identify the optimalenergy thresholds to maximize CNR for iodine (FIG. 2A), gadolinium (FIG.2B), and gold (FIG. 2C) contrast agents.

As another example, the imaging technique parameters can be optimized tominimize noise for material decomposition. In these examples, noise inbasis material density maps can be minimized by optimizing two energythresholds. Example optimizations are illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3C, whichcan be used to identify the optimal low-energy and high-energythresholds to minimize noise for calcium chloride decompositions (FIG.3A), iodine decompositions (FIG. 3B), and water decompositions (FIG.3C).

Overall Cramer-Rao Lower Bound Analysis

As mentioned above, the optimization of imaging technique parameters forPCCT can also be based on an overall CRLB calculation. The CRLBcalculation can be used to calculate the lowest bound of basis imagenoise for multi-energy x-ray transmission measurements at a singleprojection or ray. CT measurements, however, are different from x-raytransmission measurements. For instance, CT measurements involve anumber of variations in different detector channels, projections,post-processing, and reconstruction methods. To date, CRLB has not beenimplemented to optimize PCCT imaging technique parameters while alsotaking into account these factors.

Referring now to FIG. 4 , a flowchart is illustrated as setting forththe steps of an example method for optimizing PCCT imaging techniqueparameters using an optimization based on an overall Cramer-Rao lowerbound (“oCRLB”) calculation. In this method, an overall CRLB measure,described below, is implemented to optimize the selection of imagingtechnique parameters for a PCCT system. In general, the oCRLBcalculation algorithm can be used to optimize x-ray spectrum, energythresholds, energy bins, or combinations thereof, for PCCT measurements.The optimization takes into consideration variations among detectorchannels, projections, reconstruction algorithms, or combinationsthereof. The overall CRLB analysis can be implemented for differentthreshold configurations for calcium/iron/water material quantification.

Because of the large variations between detector channels, projectionangles, and reconstruction kernels, one optimal energy thresholdconfiguration for one single x-ray transmission measurement may not bethe best one for another combination of detector channel and projectionangle. The oCRLB calculation can be designed to account for thoseacquisition parameters and reconstruction methods.

The method begins with the selection of initial imaging techniqueparameters, as indicated at step 402. As mentioned above, the imagingtechnique parameters can include x-ray spectra parameters, energythreshold parameters, energy bin parameters, or combinations thereof.The imaging technique parameters can also include information based onthe detector response of the photon-counting detectors used in a PCCTsystem, and information about the object being imaged, including thesize of the object and materials contained in the object. As mentionedabove, the imaging technique parameters can also include the selectionof the image reconstruction method to be used, post-processing methodsto be used, or both.

Using the initial imaging technique parameters, a CRLB calculation isperformed for each combination of detector channel, projection angle,and different material attenuation, as indicated at step 404. Then, anoCRLB value is computed based on the CRLB calculations, as indicated atstep 406. As an example, the oCRLB calculation is achieved as a weightedsummation of the CRLB calculations, which consider the variations inattenuation, reconstruction kernel, and so on. As another example, theoCRLB calculation can be obtained as a reconstruction of a noise mapbased on the CRLB values at each view and each projection.

The oCRLB value is then compared against a stopping criterion todetermine whether the optimal imaging technique parameters have beenachieved for the particular imaging task at hand, as determined atdecision block 408. If the optimal imaging technique parameters havebeen reached, then the imaging technique parameters are stored for usewith the PCCT system, as indicated at step 410. Otherwise, the imagingtechnique parameters are updated at step 412 and a new CRLB computationis performed based on the updated imaging technique parameters and itsresults analyzed using the oCRLB method. It is contemplated that theimaging technique parameters with the lowest oCRLB will yield the bestresults; thus, the optimization can be based on identifying the imagingtechnique parameters that result in the minimum oCRLB value.

As mentioned above, the final stored imaging technique parameters can beprovided to a PCCT system to direct imaging of the object according tothe stored imaging technique parameters.

As one example, the oCRLB-based optimization can be used to optimize thePCCT scan parameter selection for a material decomposition task, such asfor a calcium/iron/water material decomposition, which is relevant tomany clinically important tasks, such as vascular plaque quantificationand liver iron overload measurement. The oCRLB calculation can be usedto predict four energy configurations with different rank on materialdecomposition accuracy.

PCCT experiments have shown that the oCRLB approach can be used tooptimize energy threshold configurations for material decomposition,which is relevant for many different clinical tasks, including CTperfusion imaging, virtual non-contrast imaging, renal stonecharacterization, and so on.

Virtual Scan and Model Observer Analysis

As mentioned above, the optimization of imaging technique parameters forPCCT can also be based on model observers. The model observer calculatesa figure of merit that is related to a specific imaging task based onthe signal and noise properties of the images to which the modelobserver is applied. The imaging technique parameters defining animaging technique in a PCCT system, which affect both signal and noiseproperties of the images to be acquired, can then be optimized bymaximizing the figure of merit in the model observers.

Referring now to FIG. 5 , a flowchart is illustrated as setting forththe steps of an example method for optimizing PCCT imaging techniqueparameters using an optimization based on a model observer. In thismethod, a model observer is implemented to optimize the selection ofimaging technique parameters defining an imaging technique for a PCCTsystem. In general, the model observer calculation algorithm can be usedto optimize x-ray spectrum, energy thresholds, energy bins, orcombinations thereof, for PCCT measurements. The optimization takes intoconsideration variations among detector channels, projections,reconstruction algorithms, or combinations thereof. As mentioned above,the imaging technique parameters can also include the selection of theimage reconstruction method to be used, post-processing methods to beused, or both.

The method begins with the selection of initial imaging techniqueparameters, as indicated at step 502. As mentioned above, the imagingtechnique parameters can include x-ray spectra parameters, energythreshold parameters, energy bin parameters, or combinations thereof,which may define an imaging technique. The imaging technique parameterscan also include information based on the detector response of thephoton-counting detectors used in the PCCT system, and information aboutthe object being imaged, including the size of the object and materialscontained in the object.

Using the imaging technique parameters, a virtual PCCT scan is performedto generate estimates of signal and noise based on the imaging techniqueparameters, as indicated at step 504. Multiple noise realizations arecomputed for these imaging technique parameters. A model observer isthen applied to the images obtained using the virtual scans, and afigure of merit is calculated for a specific imaging task, as indicatedat step 506. Examples of figures of merit include, but are not limitedto, area under the receiving operating characteristic curve,detectability index, or percent correct.

The figure of merit value of the model observer is then compared againsta stopping criterion to determine whether the optimal imaging techniqueparameters have been achieved for the particular imaging task at hand,as determined at decision block 508. If the optimal imaging techniqueparameters have been reached, then the imaging technique parameters arestored for use with the PCCT system, as indicated at step 510.Otherwise, the imaging technique parameters are updated at step 512 anda new virtual scan is performed and its results analyzed using the modelobserver method. It is contemplated that the imaging techniqueparameters yielding the highest figure of merit value will yield thebest results; thus, the optimization can be based on identifying theimaging technique parameters that result in the maximal figure of meritvalue.

As mentioned above, the final stored imaging technique parameters can beprovided to a PCCT system to direct imaging of the object according tothe stored imaging technique parameters.

As one example, the model-observer-based optimization can be used tooptimize the PCCT imaging technique parameter selection for a materialdecomposition task, such as for a calcium/iron/water materialdecomposition, which is relevant to many clinically important tasks,such as vascular plaque quantification and liver iron overloadmeasurement. As another example, the model-observer-based optimizationcan be used to optimize the PCCT imaging technique parameter selectionfor a detection task with contrasts made of nanoparticles, such as gold,bismuth, and tungsten nanoparticles.

The optimization tools described here can be used to optimize energythreshold or energy bin settings for a chosen x-ray tube spectrum basedon patient or phantom size, the material of interest, and the locationof the targeted material.

Referring particularly now to FIGS. 6A and 6B, an example of an x-raycomputed tomography (“CT”) imaging system 600 is illustrated. The CTsystem includes a gantry 602, to which at least one x-ray source 604 iscoupled. The x-ray source 604 projects an x-ray beam 606, which may be afan-beam or cone-beam of x-rays, towards a detector array 608 on theopposite side of the gantry 602. The detector array 608 includes anumber of x-ray detector elements 610. Together, the x-ray detectorelements 610 sense the projected x-rays 606 that pass through a subject612, such as a medical patient or an object undergoing examination, thatis positioned in the CT system 600. Each x-ray detector element 610produces an electrical signal that may represent the intensity of animpinging x-ray beam and, hence, the attenuation of the beam as itpasses through the subject 612. In some configurations, each x-raydetector 610 is capable of counting the number of x-ray photons thatimpinge upon the detector 610. During a scan to acquire x-ray projectiondata, the gantry 602 and the components mounted thereon rotate about acenter of rotation 614 located within the CT system 600.

The CT system 600 also includes an operator workstation 616, whichtypically includes a display 618; one or more input devices 620, such asa keyboard and mouse; and a computer processor 622. The computerprocessor 622 may include a commercially available programmable machinerunning a commercially available operating system. The operatorworkstation 616 provides the operator interface that enables scanningcontrol parameters to be entered into the CT system 600. In general, theoperator workstation 616 is in communication with a data store server624 and an image reconstruction system 626. By way of example, theoperator workstation 616, data store sever 624, and image reconstructionsystem 626 may be connected via a communication system 628, which mayinclude any suitable network connection, whether wired, wireless, or acombination of both. As an example, the communication system 628 mayinclude both proprietary or dedicated networks, as well as opennetworks, such as the internet.

The operator workstation 616 is also in communication with a controlsystem 630 that controls operation of the CT system 600. The controlsystem 630 generally includes an x-ray controller 632, a tablecontroller 634, a gantry controller 636, and a data acquisition system638. The x-ray controller 632 provides power and timing signals to thex-ray source 604 and the gantry controller 636 controls the rotationalspeed and position of the gantry 602. The table controller 634 controlsa table 640 to position the subject 612 in the gantry 602 of the CTsystem 600.

The DAS 638 samples data from the detector elements 610 and converts thedata to digital signals for subsequent processing. For instance,digitized x-ray data is communicated from the DAS 638 to the data storeserver 624. The image reconstruction system 626 then retrieves the x-raydata from the data store server 624 and reconstructs an image therefrom.The image reconstruction system 626 may include a commercially availablecomputer processor, or may be a highly parallel computer architecture,such as a system that includes multiple-core processors and massivelyparallel, high-density computing devices. Optionally, imagereconstruction can also be performed on the processor 622 in theoperator workstation 616. Reconstructed images can then be communicatedback to the data store server 624 for storage or to the operatorworkstation 616 to be displayed to the operator or clinician.

The CT system 600 may also include one or more networked workstations642. By way of example, a networked workstation 642 may include adisplay 644; one or more input devices 646, such as a keyboard andmouse; and a processor 648. The networked workstation 642 may be locatedwithin the same facility as the operator workstation 616, or in adifferent facility, such as a different healthcare institution orclinic.

The networked workstation 642, whether within the same facility or in adifferent facility as the operator workstation 616, may gain remoteaccess to the data store server 624 and/or the image reconstructionsystem 626 via the communication system 628. Accordingly, multiplenetworked workstations 642 may have access to the data store server 624and/or image reconstruction system 626. In this manner, x-ray data,reconstructed images, or other data may be exchanged between the datastore server 624, the image reconstruction system 626, and the networkedworkstations 642, such that the data or images may be remotely processedby a networked workstation 642. This data may be exchanged in anysuitable format, such as in accordance with the transmission controlprotocol (“TCP”), the internet protocol (“IP”), or other known orsuitable protocols.

The present invention has been described in terms of one or morepreferred embodiments, and it should be appreciated that manyequivalents, alternatives, variations, and modifications, aside fromthose expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of theinvention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for determining imaging techniqueparameters for a photon-counting computed tomography (PCCT) system, thesteps of the method comprising: (a) selecting imaging techniqueparameters for the PCCT system; (b) computing optimal imaging techniqueparameters using an optimization in which each iteration of theoptimization includes: (i) performing a virtual scan to generate imagesindicative of a signal estimate and a noise estimate associated with theimaging technique parameters; (ii) computing a figure of merit value byapplying a model observer to the generated images; (iii) evaluating astopping criterion based on the figure of merit value; (iv) updating theimaging technique parameters when the stopping criterion is notsatisfied; and (v) storing the imaging technique parameters as theoptimal imaging technique parameters for later use with the PCCT systemwhen the stopping criterion is satisfied.
 2. The method as recited inclaim 1, wherein the figure of merit value is at least one of an areaunder a receiver operating characteristic curve, a detectability index,or a percent correct value.
 3. The method as recited in claim 1, whereinthe stopping criterion is satisfied when the figure of merit value ismaximized.
 4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the imagingtechnique parameters include at least one of x-ray spectra parameters,energy threshold parameters, or energy bin parameters.